Google will have to let rival AI assistants run on Android the way its own Gemini does. It must also hand some of its search data to competitors. The European Commission set out both requirements on Thursday.
The two decisions fall under the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), the Commission said. The law forces “gatekeeper” platforms to give rivals access comparable to their own. They are binding specification measures, not fines, and spell out what Google must do.
“We hope to see emerging alternatives to Google Search and Google’s AI services, such as Gemini,” said Henna Virkkunen, the Commission’s tech chief. Users in the EU should enjoy greater choice, she added.
Rival AI on Android #
The first decision covers AI assistants. Today, the Commission said, non-Google assistants get only restricted access to key Android features. That holds them back with the 60% of EU users on Android.
Google will have to let users pick a preferred assistant and wake it by voice, as they do with Gemini. Those assistants must also be able to act inside apps, for example to book a taxi or suggest chat replies. Google has until July 2027 to make the Android changes.
Sharing search data #
The second decision covers search. Subject to anonymisation, Google must share the same data it collects to improve its own search with rival engines and AI chatbots. The aim, the EU said, is to “rebalance the playing field.” Data sharing starts in January 2027.
The Commission also set out safeguards, The Register reported. Records with rare or sensitive details would be suppressed, users grouped into bundles of at least 1,000, and identifiers removed. Only vetted firms with plans to improve search could receive the data, under independent audits. Google keeps a say over what it shares.
Google objects #
Google is unhappy, as it has been with most EU rulings against it. Its president of global affairs, Kent Walker, said in a statement that the decisions “risk undermining vital privacy and security guardrails for millions of Europeans.”
“Europeans’ private searches would be exposed to unfamiliar companies, without adequate anonymisation… without user knowledge or consent,” Walker said. He argued the changes would “weaken citizens’ privacy, risk business trade secrets, and endanger national security.”
The Commission says its anonymisation is strong. Google can also refuse data to any firm that poses serious security risks, it notes.
Part of a wider push #
The order is the latest EU move against Big Tech under the DMA. Brussels has already told Meta to strip out addictive features and pushed Google to open its Play store to rivals. Regulators have also circled Android’s choice screens.
If Google does not comply, the Commission can fine it up to 10% of global annual turnover. The DMA has also drawn opposition from the Trump administration, which argues it unfairly targets US firms. The Verge noted Google won a longer runway than Apple, which must make its Siri AI compliant before it launches in the bloc.
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